Last Chance iconLast Chance
Top Rated iconTop Rated

Forest Bathing: Find Yourself in Nature

Date
June 13 - 15, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

We are excited to host our first Forest Bathing Retreat with Benjamin Page, author of Healing Trees.

Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing or "Shinrin-Yoku," offers a pathway for people to remember how to immerse themselves in nature in order to rest from all that consumes them in their daily lives. It’s all about slowing down, connecting to our sensate bodies and cultivating relationships with the beings of the More Than Human World. This practice not only benefits our physical health by lowering stress, boosting our innate immune systems and restoring our attention, but also supports us in opening our hearts to receive the wisdom and gifts of nature. In offering our attention to the beings of nature, we may come to witness ourselves and know, deep in our hearts, that we are of the Earth and that we belong. We will also enjoy expressive arts in nature by creating in partnership with nature, leaves, sticks, flowers, seeds, rocks, sand…. Create freely with no specific outcome in mind – without the burden of needing it to be a certain way. Perhaps one of the most ancient modalities, expressive arts has fostered healing through self-expression for thousands of years. Today, we understand that this practice can improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self esteem and self awareness, promote insight and cultivate emotional resilience. Perfect for anyone seeking a journey towards the heart of being in search of spontaneity, harmony, paradox and the beauty of everyday experience supported by a like-minded and open-hearted community in beautiful nature settings.

COVID POLICY ( as of JAN 2025 ):  For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.

Schedule (Subject to change):

FRIDAY

3 pm Check-in
4 – 5:15 pm Welcome & Sharing Circle
5:30 pm Dinner

SATURDAY

7am Meditation with George of Ratna Ling
8 am Breakfast
9:15 am -12 pm Forest Therapy Session One
12:15 pm Lunch
1pm Temple Tour (optional)
1 – 3:15 pm Quiet time, hiking, bodywork and massage by appointment, etc.
3:30 – 5 pm Expressive Art in Nature
5:30 pm Dinner

SUNDAY

8:00 – 9:45 am Forest Therapy Session Two
10 am Brunch
12 pm Check-out

 

For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins



ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.

What people are saying about our retreats:



“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing.”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."


“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.”
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious." Read More

Getting Here

Location icon Ratna Ling Retreat Center

Directions

San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants. Read More

Accommodation

14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.

For 1 guests in Private Room (in 2-room shared cottage), includes meals and sessions Read More

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche. Read More

Meals

Menu Types

All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care. We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table. Read More

Customer Reviews

4.94 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Incredible, beautiful and healing experience
I have done many retreats in various settings (and price points) over the years, and Gloria Baraquio's Weekend of Self-Care retreat at Ratna Ling over Memorial Day Weekend was truly something extraordinary. She, along with Kimberly Millard, who provided additional yoga instruction and sound healing and George Wiegand, who taught meditation, created a very special container for the weekend, and I am still feeling renewed 10 days later. Ratna Ling is also a very beautiful place with wonderful creature comforts, and the staff was so kind and caring. Thank you - I cannot wait to return! Read More

5.0
Verified logo
A Magical Escape into Nature and Stillness
I attended the meditation retreat in late May 2025, and from the moment I began the drive, I felt like I was entering another world. The route along the coast was breathtaking, eventually winding into a serene landscape of towering trees and untouched wilderness. It was exactly what I had been craving a place to unplug, reset, and reconnect away from the overstimulation of daily life. What I found was not only everything I needed, but so much more.

The cottages are tucked away in quiet seclusion, surrounded by a forest that feels sacred. Each morning, I stepped outside to the sight of sunlight streaming through the mountains and trees a gentle reminder that peace lives in stillness. The natural beauty alone would have made the trip worthwhile, but what the retreat offered went far beyond that.

The meditations and talks led by George and Linda were profoundly inspiring. Meditation has always been something I wanted to integrate into my daily life, but I never knew where to start. Their guidance made it approachable and deeply personal. I learned techniques that helped me understand what mindfulness actually feels like and I’ve been able to carry that clarity back with me into my everyday routine.

The staff and volunteers were incredible! They were kind, welcoming, and genuinely present. It didn’t feel like a business. It felt like being embraced by a community that truly cares. I was treated not as a guest, but as a member of a larger family. Their presence created a space where healing, rest, and reflection could truly unfold.

I’m so grateful to have found this place. As I drove away, I caught myself wondering how I could come back… or better yet, never leave. This place is a gift! It is a place to recharge your spirit, reconnect with nature, and remember what it feels like to just be! It's truly magical!
Read More

5.0
Verified logo
A very special time with amazing people
Thank you so much, Gloria for all of the heart and soul you infused into our retreat weekend. It was truly an honor to watch you work your magic and hold space for all of us. RL is also a magical place and the rooms were pristine and the people who work there were so full of Gratitude and good intentions. It was an experience like I’ve never had before where everyone just wanted to serve, and where everyone who worked there felt as if they were emanating, pure intentions of love toward the attendees. I have also never gone to a retreat with people I know, and the deepening connection that happened was beyond my wildest dreams. I feel so full and grateful for this experience in this beautiful place led by such an adapt and knowing soul. Thank you all for providing this sacred space and time for me to heal. Read More

5.0
Verified logo
An Incredible Experience !!!!
I attended the Weekend of Self Care Retreat this past weekend and it was truly transformative. I arrived stressed out and left calm, centered and ready to live more fully. The sleeping accommodations were perfect and the cabins were clean and accessible to the Lodge. I also thoroughly enjoyed all the classes and sessions and the retreat leader, Gloria, was so kind and loving and went out of her way the entire weekend to ensureI I was doing ok. I would like to honorably mention the staff. I have never had an opportunity to be assisted by such loving, kind and thorough individuals. They patiently held my hand throughout the entire retreat and seemed to never tire in assisting each and every participant to have a wonderful time. The grounds and atmosphere at RL is the perfect recipe for healing in Mind, Body and Spitit. Read More

5.0
Verified logo
Highly recommended
Peaceful surroundings, cottages and lodge are well cared for, volunteer staff is friendly, and the food is nutritious and abundant. This place has great energy and Gloria was a wonderful guide/facilitator. Read More

Similar retreats